[The significance of magnesium in medicine. (II) Disturbances of magnesium metabolism and their treatment (author's transl)].

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is common in diseases of the digestive tract and alcoholism, in diuretic therapy, hypocalcemia and as a congenital disturbance of absorption. The symptoms are particularly related to the heart and nervous system, but are not characteristic. Excess of Mg is observed in advanced renal failure. Compensation of the Mg deficiency partly explains the success of Mg in the treatment of cardiovascular, digestive and neuropsychiatric diseases. Parenteral feeding must contain adequate Mg. Important fields of application of Mg are the treatment of peptic ulcer and its use as a laxative.